Tuesday, April 8, 2014

1:32 PM

U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy today announced legislation he says would maintain the country's responsibility for critical Internet functions.

Duffy, R-Weston, said the bill -- dubbed the Global Internet Freedom Act -- would prohibit the Obama administration from ceding control of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority as planned next year. The IANA is responsible for allocating IP addresses, as well as other Internet resources.

"As Americans, we value our Constitutional right of Freedom of Speech and have promoted this value throughout the world," Duffy said in a statement. "We should not give up our stewardship of the internet so that the United Nations or countries like China or Russia, that do not hold free speech in the same regard, can have the opportunity to take control."